Monaco’s Vice President Wants Transfer Window In Europe To Close Early

Monaco are urging Europe’s top leagues to follow the Premier League and close the summer transfer window before the start of the season.

The majority of Premier League clubs have agreed to a shorter summer window in an attempt to ensure squad stability, but other European clubs will be able to buy and sell players until the end of next August.

Monaco came “really close” to selling Thomas Lemar to Arsenal a deal worth more than £90m on Deadline Day, but the move was not completed in time and vice-president Vadim Vasilyev has highlighted it as just one example of clubs being put under undue stress.

In a wide-ranging interview at the Stade Louis II stadium, he told Sky Sports News: “The best thing would be for FIFA to take the initiative and limit the transfer period for all European clubs, let’s say until July 31.
“It’s too stressful for the clubs [at the moment]. We’ve seen many examples; Lemar, [Kylian] Mbappe, [Philippe] Coutinho, [Ousmane] Dembele. I think it’s not fair to allow changes to be more once the season starts.

It’s fine before the season starts but, once it’s ongoing, you cannot compromise the team and the squad.”